Jolly Christmas Tree Bread Recipe for Holiday Baking Joy

Warm spices and festive cheer dance through this delightful Christmas tree bread that captures the spirit of the holiday season.

Golden dough, shaped with love, brings families together around the table.

The aroma of cinnamon and sweet dough fills the kitchen with memories of cherished traditions.

Soft, pillowy layers invite everyone to break bread and share moments of joy.

Each slice tells a story of comfort and celebration.

You’ll find this recipe brings warmth and happiness to your holiday gathering.

Let the magic of homemade bread transform your Christmas into an unforgettable experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 160 kcal

Servings: 8

What Goes Into Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread

• Pizza Dough: Flexible foundation that creates the festive tree shape, choose fresh or homemade dough for best texture.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Creamy center that melts perfectly, select full-fat variety for rich, gooey filling.

• Garlic Powder: Adds warm, aromatic punch to bread's exterior.
• Italian Seasoning: Delivers classic Mediterranean herb blend for depth.
• Salt: Balances and intensifies overall flavor profile.
• Parmesan Cheese: Provides sharp, tangy finish to bread's surface.

• Butter: Creates golden, glossy coating with rich flavor.
• Parsley: Brings fresh, bright green color and herbal note.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces subtle spicy kick.
• Marinara Sauce: Classic dipping companion that complements cheesy bread.

Tools for Baking Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread

• Baking Sheet: Crucial for creating the Christmas tree bread shape.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Rolling Pin: Essential for rolling out pizza dough smoothly.
• Small Bowl: Used for mixing butter and seasonings.
• Pastry Brush: Perfect for coating bread with herbed butter.
• Sharp Knife: Needed to cut dough into equal pieces.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure spices and seasonings.

Steps to Make Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread Festive

• Craft Your Dough Base

Roll out pizza dough on a lightly floured surface, creating a smooth canvas for your festive creation.

• Create Cheesy Pockets

Divide dough into equal pieces, tucking a mozzarella cube into the center of each piece and rolling into tight, sealed balls.

• Shape the Holiday Tree

Arrange dough balls in a tree formation – start with 5 at the bottom, gradually decreasing to a single ball at the top, with an extra ball as the trunk.

• Bake to Golden Perfection

Pop the tree into a preheated oven at 375F and bake until the bread turns a beautiful golden brown, about 18-20 minutes.

• Add Flavor Burst

Whip up a quick butter mixture with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan. Brush generously over the hot bread.

• Final Festive Touch

Sprinkle with parsley and red pepper flakes for a pop of color and extra zing. Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping.

Fun Twists for Your Christmas Tree Bread

• No-Peek Perfection: Cover the bread with aluminum foil midway through baking to prevent over-browning while ensuring even cooking.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap traditional pizza dough with gluten-free pizza dough or cauliflower crust for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Cheese Swap Magic: Experiment with different cheese fillings like cheddar, gouda, or pepper jack for unique flavor profiles and exciting taste combinations.
• Make-Ahead Trick: Prepare dough balls and arrange tree shape the night before, then refrigerate overnight and bake fresh for holiday gatherings.
• Veggie Lover's Twist: Add finely chopped spinach or sun-dried tomatoes inside dough balls for extra nutrition and surprising bursts of flavor.

Serving Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread with Cheer

• Holiday Party Centerpiece: Arrange the Cheesy Christmas Tree Bread on a festive wooden board surrounded by fresh herbs and extra marinara sauce for a stunning table display.
• Game Night Companion: Serve alongside cold beer or crisp white wine, creating a perfect shareable appetizer that'll impress friends during movie or sports gatherings.
• Potluck Showstopper: Pack the bread warm in a covered dish, bringing an eye-catching and delicious contribution that will make you the star of any holiday gathering.
• Kid-Friendly Dipping Station: Set out multiple dipping sauces like marinara, ranch, and garlic aioli to make mealtime fun and interactive for children.

Save and Warm Up Leftover Christmas Tree Bread

• Quick Cooling Strategy: Let the cheesy Christmas tree bread rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to prevent burning and allow internal temperatures to stabilize.
• Smart Refrigeration Plan: Store leftover bread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 325F for 5-7 minutes to maintain crispy exterior.
• Freezing Technique: Wrap individual bread segments or the entire tree in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 2 weeks. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and warm in oven before serving.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare dough balls and arrange tree shape up to 4 hours before baking. Cover with kitchen towel and refrigerate until ready to bake. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking to reach room temperature.

Festive Christmas Tree Bread Recipe

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4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Festive cheesy Christmas tree bread showcases holiday spirit with a delightful pull-apart design. Cheese lovers will enjoy this savory centerpiece that brings warmth and joy to seasonal gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 (13.8 oz / 391 g) refrigerated pizza dough
• 14 mozzarella cheese cubes (about ½-inch each)
• 3 tbsps butter, melted
• ¼ cup marinara sauce, for dipping
• 1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tbsp flour (for dusting)
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Ignite the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating a pristine cooking surface.
2. Dough Transformation: Scatter flour on a clean workspace and tenderly stretch pizza dough into a flat, rectangular canvas, then slice into 14 precise, uniform segments.
3. Cheese Encapsulation: Position a mozzarella cube at the heart of each dough piece, meticulously folding and sealing the edges to form compact, spherical parcels.
4. Architectural Assembly: Craft a festive tree configuration on the baking sheet, strategically layering dough balls from a 5-ball base to a singular peak, with an additional ball representing the trunk.
5. Baking Alchemy: Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven, transforming the dough into a golden-brown masterpiece over 18-20 minutes.
6. Flavor Infusion: Whisk melted butter with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and Parmesan into a fragrant elixir.
7. Final Flourish: Liberate the bread from the oven and immediately anoint with the seasoned butter mixture, then crown with vibrant parsley and fiery red pepper flakes.
8. Serving Suggestion: Present alongside warm marinara sauce, inviting a delectable dipping experience.

Notes

• Seal Tightly: Ensure each cheese-filled dough ball is completely sealed to prevent cheese leakage during baking.
• Check Dough Consistency: Work with room temperature dough for easier stretching and better texture, avoiding tough or dry bread.
• Golden Brown Technique: Watch bread carefully during last 5 minutes of baking to achieve perfect golden-brown color without burning.
• Customize Seasonings: Experiment with alternative herbs like rosemary or thyme in butter mixture for different flavor profiles, catering to personal taste preferences.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg